Outstanding Events This Week

While the double disasternamely Tsunami and earthquake destroying Indonesia became the hot topic of last week, this week has witnessed some outstanding events like the serious conflict in Afghanistan, the bloody kidnap in Baghdad or tightened airport security in Yemen.

The conflict between Afghanistan security forces and Taliban guerrillas

An Afghan governor said Monday that security forces had recaptured Khogyani - a remote southern district of Ghazni that had been overrun by Taliban guerrillas late Sunday. The security forces including police and army mobilized and took back control of the district.

The security forces recaptured Khogyani

Afghan officials were investigating possible casualties among the local administrators and a small police contingent based in the district.

Possible casualties have not been informed

The bloody kidnap in Baghdad Iraq

Iraqi security forces stormed a Baghdad church where militants had taken an entire congregation hostage for four hours and killed at least 47 people. The incident began when militants wearing suicide vests attacked the Iraqi stock exchange at dusk Sunday before turning their attention to the nearby Our Lady of Deliverance church, one of Baghdad\'s main Catholic places of worship.

Baghdad officials said there were about 120 Christians in the church when the incident happened, at least one priest and 10 policemen were among the dead. Many of the 62 wounded were women.

Tightened Airport security in Yemen after bomb plot

Yemen is tightening the security at all of its airports after a bomb plot was sent from Yemen to the United States. Every piece of cargo and luggage will go through extensive searching. Cargo companies such as DHL, FedEx and UPS will be required to make more stringent checks before accepting any packages.

Other countries also put restrictions in reaction to the security concern. For example, Germany banned all incoming flights from Yemen or Britain banned passengers from carrying toner cartridges larger than 500 grams in hand baggage on flights departing the country.

Omar Khadr – the last Western prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay

Toronto-born Omar Khadr, the last Western prisoner at the Guantanamo Baydetention centre, has been accused of killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan. Khadr was 15 when he was arrested. After several years of procedural wrangling and court challenges, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison, but the decision by a U.S. military panel was largely symbolic.

Omar Khadr before and after being arrested

Alcohol is more harmful than heroin

The report, which is co-authored by Professor David Nutt - the former UK chief drugs adviser, reveals that alcohol is more harmful than heroin. The study also claims tobacco and cocaine are judged to be equally harmful, while ecstasy and LSD are among the least damaging.